HVAC systems can be single-stage, multi-stage, or variable inverter-type compressor. I had a question last week asking if I would explain stage vs variable compressor systems, so I decided to record this video going over it.
Moral of the story is that inverter systems are more efficient than staged systems typically no matter the SEER or how many stages there are.
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Hey guys before we get to the video for more tips and tricks in the heating and air industry, please click that subscribe button. Thank you. Hey guys, josh with griffin here and the new hvac guide, wanted to do a video based on a question i got recently and i kind of forward them to a couple different videos of mine. But none of those kind of answered the questions specifically and the question was hey: can you explain outdoor units, heat pumps, air conditioners and what the difference is between the stages and inverters and all that good stuff? So i wanted to do just a real, quick, simple video answering that question specifically, and i think, if you think about this, never mind what you have inside whether or not it's a you know a an air handler.

That's you know single stage or whether it's variable speed or whatever inside i'm not going to go over. That we'll do a separate video on just that, and in fact i did did a. I did a long long, video going through everything uh. So look that up, but i'm also going to do just a real quick to the point, video that you know if you're just comparing systems, it gets right to the point.

So i'm not talking about that. I'm also not going to go through furnaces and what the difference is between single and two stage and modulating, and all that we're not talking about any of that in this video just to make it real simple. If you're, comparing apples to apples, two different quotes two different systems, i don't care what the seer ratings are. I don't care any of that.

I'm just get right to the point here. Of course, i just now went a long time to get to the point right, but to make it real simple for you we're going to talk about the three different types of systems: real, quick, the first one being single stage. So back in the day, especially when i first started there was, i would say, the majority 90 of the systems would be what we would call single stage systems and what that means is. It was either on or off.

Okay. So just like, if you had a light, switch on your wall and you turn it on and the light turns on at a hundred percent brightness or it's off, you flip it down and it's off completely off and there's no in between it's either on or off That would be what i would call a single stage: compressor single stage, heat pump, single stage, air conditioner, okay. So there's no in between it's not trying to save energy in any way. It's just on, and it's providing you air conditioning or, of course, a heat pump.

It could also provide some heat that would be of the three systems. That would be the first one. The second one is pretty easy to understand, because it's it instead of just a single stage, it can be a multi-stage, it could be a two-stage three-stage. There's several different types of systems out there that can be a multi-stage of some kind and i'm just gon na focus on a two stage for now, and all that is is, if you imagine imagine if this is your two stage 100 capacity, and that would be Your second stage running with a two-stage compressor, the first stage, could be say running at 70 percent.
Okay, a two stage would be off 100 on or somewhere in between, and so it makes it a two-stage system there right and then, if you have say a three-stage system, you're just adding another stage in there. So you got a compressor that could be off 100 capacity and then maybe some you know percentages of running and the idea obviously is: let's go back to the two stage. The idea is instead of running at a hundred percent capacity. It could run at a lower capacity slower running less energy consumption, but maybe it's a milder day and you don't need a hundred percent capacity.

You don't need that big spike in energy as it gets up and rolling and then the last of these three. So let's go back to our three. We got our single stage multi-stage and the last one would be an inverter system and there's actually different types of inverter systems. Right now, you know you've got bosch and some of these companies that are making inverter systems that just ramp up and down, based on what they're, seeing you know it.

The bosch system specifically only measure what the coil temperature or the suction pressure coming back, is and will ramp up and down. Based on that, and then you have other systems that are communicating systems that the two units, the indoor outdoor and even the thermostat, can all kind of talk to one another. Tell each other, hey here's! What i'm seeing ramp up ramp down that sort of deal, and so imagine your compressor, you know getting back to our compressor where you know like we had the two-stage type of deal. Well, an inverter system can go up and down based on what it's calling for.

Okay, you see a lot of ductless systems that are inverter type compressors. You see a lot of higher seer systems. So if we're talking about a conventional system, you see a lot of higher seer systems. They'll be inverter systems, but ultimately an inverter system is going to be more efficient.

I don't care what the seer ratings are. It's going to be more efficient than any sort of stage system. So what i mean by that is, there are inverter systems on the market, that are only say, 17 seer, and then there are multi-stage systems on the market that might even have a higher seer, but that inverter system is still technically going to be more efficient and I'm sure there's going to be people that argue with me about that. But the bottom line is that inverter system can at times be just barely running and still removing moisture from the home, still providing comfort, still cooling the space, but just be barely running and multi-stage systems, or even a single stage system.

Obviously can't do that again. If you're, comparing apples to apples - and you say two-stage compressor heat pump and it's 17 seer versus an inverter system that is 17 seer and it can ramp up and down that inverter system is going to be more efficient than the two-stage system. Okay, so hopefully that makes sense. I wanted to break it down a little bit, but get to the point in that inverter systems are more efficient than multi-stage systems, and multi-stage systems are more efficient than single stage systems.
So hopefully that helps thanks for watching. The last thing i'll say is if you're in the market for a new heating and air system and you're in virginia and the middle peninsula or the northern neck, give griffin air a call. We'll give you a free estimate and the best warranty in the area. But if you're, not in our coverage area check out my new website, i've even got a little banner up here.

Newhvacguide.Com check out that site, because we've put so much information on there. It's as if i wrote a book telling folks, hey here's, the good and the bad avoid this or that i've even got a whole page called no knows things to stay away from, and so before you spend thousands check out that website and finally, for more tips And tricks in the heating and air industry click that subscribe button thanks for watching you.

6 thoughts on “Hvac single-stage vs two-stage vs variable compressor. heat pumps and air conditioners video”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars DeltaStarr says:

    Question: I love your videos you are a wonderful teacher. I would love to hire you but I live in Mississippi. Background Information: In 2011 my furnace went out and had to be replaced. The new furnace was setup to run the new freon with new ducts and coils. At that time, I could not afford to replace my outside compressor. I would like to take advantage of the new technology and install a variable/invertor compressor. My electric bill during the summer months is normally around $290 and above. Question: Can I just upgraded the old compressor outside to a variable or multi stage compressor or do I need to replace everything including furnace, coils and ducts to take advantage of this new technology that a multi stage compressor offers? Thanks in advance.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kranix says:

    I currently have a new construction home being started next month. It's 2650 sq ft and unfinished basement. The standard HVAC it comes with is 3 TON, single stage furnace and single speed fan. I spoke with HVAC today and they said, if I could, to upgrade to dual zone, variable furnace, and variable speed for fan. What say you? You spoke of inverter in your video, is that something worth investing and would the inverter be in addition to the upgrades the HVAC people recommended? I live in south central PA. Thanks for your input.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars nenigma1 says:

    Thank You Sir!!!!

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joseph F says:

    I plan to upgrade in the next 6 months. I currently have a 20 year old Heil heat pump. I am pretty sure I have narrowed down to a Trane system.
    My home is only 1500 sq feet. Would the XV18 with
    New air handler (Hyperion) or tem6 be worth spending the extra money for or should I go with possibly single stage or multistage due to such a small house?
    I am in SC and it's terribly humid during the summers. Thanks for all the information you provide. Are you in Orleans ?

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars 顺利 says:

    Happy July 4th Griffin Air!!!

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nico says:

    Great video very informative. I have a York 2.5 ton heat pump with furnace. I'm thinking of switching to a 3 ton Daikin fit , what's your professional opinion ? Thanks

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